VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the first stakes race of its 2017-18 Thoroughbred season on Friday night and it was the 3-year-old filly Mr. Al’s Gal who came away the win in the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes. The tally marked her fifth stakes win and seventh victory overall from nine lifetime starts. The Justin Jeansonne trainee was ridden to victory by Diego Saenz.

After breaking sharply in the one-mile headliner, Mr. Al’s Gal volleyed for the lead with Another Pinot until the pair hit the top of the homestretch. The duo carved out fractional times of 24 seconds for the quarter-mile, 50.19 for the half, and 1:15.78 for three-quarters before Mr. Al’s Gal began to pull away in the final furlong. That’s when race favorite Pacific Pink came storming from well behind but could not get to the winner and had to settle for second, beaten 2-1/4 lengths. Another Pinot held on for third another half-length behind the top pair.

Mr. Al’s Gal, who is owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc., covered the eight furlongs of the Magnolia in a time of 1:42.18 while racing on a track listed as muddy.

Bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock & Neal McFadden, Mr. Al’s Gal is a daughter of Salute the Sarge out of the Spanish Steps mare Spanish Ice. She was purchased at the bargain basement price of just $1,000 as a yearling in 2015.

Sent to the gate as the second choice of the wagering public, Mr. Al’s Gal returned $4.40 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Pacific Pink was worth $2.40 to win and $2.10 to show. Another Pinot paid $4.20 for the show spot.